Entry #2: Defining area, problem, purpose and questions

I guess my research would be focusing on the relation between motivation and English as Second Language (ESL). Therefore, the area of my research would be ESL.

I always believe that there are multiple ways in doing things, still you can achieve the same objective. Some might think of the problem first and then will proceed to objective and finally come out with research questions. But some might work the other way round. It's like deductive and inductive ways of doing it

In my case, I think of the questions first. What are the things that I want to know or find out. Like I've mentioned in my previous post, I want to know what are the factors that motivate the students in using English as L2 especially as spoken language. But, before finding the factors, I think I also need to know their attitudes and perceptions towards the language, so that I could relate them with the contributing factors of their motivation. Therefore, my research problem and objective are derived from these two questions.

Below is the overview of my research aka Task 1 given by Dr Teoh.

Entry #1: Research Topic

Hi!

I've been blogging for 8 years yet it's more on my personal thoughts and views. That is why it takes me days to get started, writing this entry.

Better late than never, right?

So, before I decide on my research topic, I need to think on area that I would love to touch on.

Motivation. Yes. Even during my interview, when the interviewer asked me what I wanted to do for my research proposal, I did mention about motivation.

I always believe that motivation plays an important and crucial role in determining someone's success. 

It's like behind a successful man, there is a woman; thus, behind a great man lies a great motivation.

I've been teaching for two years now and I notice that my students are very reluctant to speak in English. The most crucial moment was when I started teaching, in 2012. The students even asked me to speak in Malay while teaching them English. I tried my best to get them to talk in English, regardless of their grammar mistakes. I also came up with my own program, which is English Time Zone, where the students have to speak in English during recess time, no matter where they are. I realize that it starts to show some changes and improvement in their willingness to at least try to speak using English.  But of course, there are still other students who I find reluctant to speak. Even when I asked them or spoke to them. So, I wonder what are the things that affect their motivation in using English as L2, orally.

What is motivation?

There are two types of motivation which are intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.


Extrinsic motivation means someone is motivated by outside factors like for the sake of getting rewards or praises from others.
Meanwhile, intrinsic motivation means what motivates a person comes form within the person himself or herself.

There are two theories that could help me to understand more on motivation concept.

Well, I am familiar with the Maslow's theory before but I have never came across Herzberg's theory. I guess I'll have to read more on the theory.

I guess I'll stop now.

Before that, I would to end my entry with this quote.